Stunning on Blu-ray Disc and DVD, this all-star cast and the Vienna State Opera create a La Forza for the ages."Salvatore Licitra's Alvaro, alternately tender and heroic, made his aria 'O tu che in seno agli angeli' the highlight of the evening. Carlos Alvarez gave a spectacular performance as Carlo" --Bloomberg.com"Nina Stemme is a grandiose Leonora, dramatic, lyrical, sensitive, technically amazing... Salvatore Licitra is a passionate musical craftsman... Carlos Alvarez, the top baritone, is fascinating as Don Carlo" ' - Kurier

"Zubin Mehta conducts with easy-going mastery, letting the score breathe and live."The cast is a dream team, headed by Nina Stemme as Leonora. It is she who, rightly, gathers the lion's share of the final applause, for a full-blooded portrayal." --FinancialTimes.com

MusicWeb InternationalI would argue that this is the best modern recording of Forza - more exciting than the Urmana/Giordani/Guelfi set also conducted by Zubin Mehta and a step up vocally on Branchini/Zulian/di Felice conducted by Lucas Karitynos on Dynamic.

GramophoneThe production team here... proves that these three sides of the opera, undisguised and played all out, create the work's dramatic unity. Hudson's revolving set... consign lengthy scene changes to the dustbin. Zubin Mehta's well-marshalled, unindulgent, unselfconscious conducting is ideal for both this work and production.

ClassicalCDReview.comBallet sequences were outstanding, with the Vienna State Opera Chorus in top form in music they have performed countless times previously. Stemme, known primarily for her Wagner and Strauss... was an ideal Verdian. Licitra here shows he was indeed a successor to Pavarotti, and the chemistry between him and Alvarez is remarkable. No question that young Bulgarian mezzo Nadia Kresteva is the sexiest Preziosilla ever; she puts on a great show. If you are looking for an updated version of Verdi's masterpiece that does not offend eyes or ears, here it is.